Understanding Mobile Apps

If you happen to have a smartphone in your pocket, you’re probably using it for its integrated apps. Video games, GPS navigation, news, books, weather, those are just some of the few. They are easy to download, most of them are free, and they give you an amusement and fun factor that is often put above some key considerations. What kind of information is gathered from your mobile device, and who has a privilege of getting his hands on your privacy.

What is actually a mobile app?

It is a software program you can download from the internet directly from your mobile device, like a phone, tablet, or a music player.

What things do you need to have to download and use an app?

The first thing you need is a smartphone or a similar device with internet access. All of the commercially available mobile operating systems like Android, Microsoft, Apple, and Blackberry, have online app stores where you can find and download these little thingies. Some of the online retailers also offer app store services. When using an app store, you will have to look for the one that is compatible with your operating system. You will also be required to set up an account and by doing that, you may find yourself in a situation where you must provide a credit card number if the app isn’t on the free side.

What kind of personal data can mobile apps be granted access to?

When you download an app, the first thing they ask from you is to let them access information on your device. This includes the following:

– Call and email contacts

– Device’s location

– Internet data

– Call logs

– The unique ID of your device

Some apps need access only to information needed for basic functioning, but others acquire data that is not necessary for their purpose.

And that’s just about everything someone needs to know. So next time, you better think about whom you’re giving all your intimacy to. It’s like being on a plate. It’s there for taking.